This weekend the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey team will be hitting the road for their final series before a three week holiday break.

Coming off a win and overtime loss to the University of Nebraska Omaha in Duluth last weekend, the Bulldogs now turn their heads to the Redhawks of Miami University (Ohio). Their game plan is simple: earn two wins for six more National Collegiate Hockey Conference points.

They’ll be able to lean on now settled in and reliable Hermantown native, sophomore defender and forward combo Joey Pierce.

“Joe keeps the game simple. He has a physical presence from willing to block shots. He does a lot of things that maybe don’t stand out on the scoresheet,” head coach Scott Sandelin said.

15 games in Pierce is boasting 17 blocked shots to tie for third on the team.

“Now when I’m playing regularly, I get off the ice and I know I’m going to be back out there in two shifts, which helps. I think I learned a lot in that role as a seventh defenseman. But I think I’ve used what I’ve learned this year when I have gotten the regular shift,” Pierce added.

Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Oxford, Ohio. UMD enters 4-8-3 while Miami sits 5-8-1.